Adopt 2G report unanimously, Chacko requests JPC members

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Last Updated: Thu, Apr 25, 2013 05:55 hrs

New Delhi: All members of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) looking into 2G spectrum allocation should "adopt the report without voting", panel chief P.C. Chacko appealed Thursday ahead of the meeting to debate the document.

"I do not want a voting to take place in the committee and I would request the committee to adopt the report without voting. Those who have different opinion can add dissent note," Chacko told reporters.

"There is no harm in adopting the report unanimously and I will try for that and if members suggest otherwise, I don't know what will happen," he said.

The committee, which is divided over the content of the report, is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. Thursday.

According to sources, there was no precedent of a JPC report being put to vote but allowing dissent notes was a democratic practice.

The report had laid the blame for the losses to the public exchequer on account of faulty allocation of spectrum and grant of licences on former telecom minister A. Raja, clearing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram of any wrongdoing.

"We have done serious work on this infamous scam and today we are ready with the report and I am very happy and with confidence, I can say that I have prepared a fair report document on the basis of document and deposition before the committee," Chacko said.

He said it was up to the committee to take a final call and he was hopeful that members would accept the report.

The JPC is divided over the culpability of Raja, whose note submitted to the panel has stated that everything he did was in consultation with the prime minister.

"These are occupational hazards. One need not be sad about that and if they feel that they are not satisfied with report and want a no confidence motion they have the freedom to do that," Chacko said.

"I don't know if there is provision for no confidence motion but they have moved a privilege motion against me and notices are given by two members to honourable speaker... And now it is up to the speaker to decide and there is nothing for the committee to worry about it," he said.

The opposition is also miffed that contents of the draft report were allegedly leaked to the media last week, even before the report was finalised.

"I am not at all bothered about that (dissent). My job is done faithfully and now committee will take a call on that and I am sure that the parliament and country will appreciate our work," he said.

In 2011, an entire winter session of parliament was washed out as the BJP did not allow either house to run till a JPC probe was set up.

The issue came up after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) alleged a presumptive loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore in the allocation of 2G spectrum licences during the UPA-I government 2004-09.